The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-11-21
Countess NalODa.
By WILKIE COLLINS.

ny no orders forbidding the Introduction Of
strange lady, the matter clearly rested be-
ween madame and mladi. Would madame,
therefore, be good enough 70 follow miladfs
maid upstairs"
In spite Of her resolution. Mrs. ferraris
ieart beat a. II ~ would hurt ont Of her
BOSOM, when her c0nductres. led her nto an
nteroom. and knocked al q door opening in
oar room beyond But % i- remarkable that
persons Of s,n.it,cly nervous organization
lre the very persons who are capable OF fore
ng themseye- apparently by the exercise Of
,spasmolic effort of viii into tl'e perform
,nce Of acts Of The most audaci0n. courage.
4 low. grave voice from the tuner room said,
Come in" The m1ii. opening the door, an
,ounced. "A person o. see Won. miladi, on
business and immediately retired In the
me instant while these event, passed, timid
title Nh. Fernn mastered her own throb-
ling heart. stepped over tbe threshold, con
cious Of her ciammv hands Dry lips and
burning head. and stood iu tle presence Of
oord Montbauys widow, aii outward app
,earance as supremcly self possessed as her
adyship herself
II was still early in the afternoon, but the
ight In the room was din. The blinds were
irawn down Lady Montbarry sat with her
)ack 10 the windows. as II even the subdued
laylight were disagreeabie 30 her She had
Uttered sadly for the worse in her personal
appearance. since the memorable day when
Dr. WybrOw had seen her 100 bis consulting
DOM Her beauty was gOne-he face had
allen away % mere skin and bone; tine con
rast between her CHASTITY complexion and
Ter steely glftering black eyes was more
tartling than ever Rohed lu dismal black,
eheved only bv the brilliant whifaness of her
widows cap-recluing in a panther like
mppencss Of attitude on a little green sofa
he looked at the stranger who bad iniruded
% her. with q moments anguid curiosity,
hen dropped her eyes again 90 the hand
Green which size held between her face and
he fire. II don't kuowyou She said what
10 you want with meg'
Mrs FerrWu tried 90 answer Her first
BURST of courage bad already worn itself ont.
The bold words sine bad determined 10 speak
we're living words still in beer auiud. but they
hed ON BIER Zip,
There was moment of silence Lady
dontbarry looked round again at the speech
ess stranger "Ae r0u deaif She asked.
fhere was another pause Lady MontbaTy
quietly looked back again at ihe screen, and
1ut another question. EDO you want money!"
Money That one word reused the sink
nc spirit Of the courier's wife She recovered
ler courage. She found hcr voice. "Look Mt
me-, my lady if you please" She said, with a
uddeu outbreak ~ audacity
Lady M0utbarry looked round forthe third
ire.
Il come, my lady. 90 acknowledge the re-
'eipt of the money sent 90 Fcru, widow
Lady MoutharrHs glttouug black eyes
'ested with steady attention on tle woman
sho had addressed her iu those terms Not
he faintest expr. s,iun of confusion on alarm,
iot even mometary huttrr of interest
TIRED tine deadly -ui.ue,, Of her face She
opposed as quietly. she bell the screen rs
.ompo-cdiy %, ever. The test hai h.cu tried,
md had irretrievtbly. utterly failed
There wu, another silence Lady Mont
AIRY considered with herself Iar -mile
bat came slowly and went away suddenly
he smile af once so sad and .0 cru.. Iowed
'Self on her iln Dip, She lifted O.r screen,
ma pointed with it to seat a' t.~ further
nd of the room. "Be So good a- i,iahe that
hair. She said
Helpless under her first beWillern- -ense
Z failure-not knowing what o. -a} OBJ what
D DO ncxt-Mrs Ferrari mechanically
beyed Lady MontbaTy. ri,ius on tue sofa
Dr. the first time. watched hcr with uulIs-
uised scrutiny 90. She crossed rho roon-ihen
lnk back ntoa reclining position ONCE more
No she said % herself quietly. 'the woman
ralks steadily. size Is not intoxicaiel-ihe +,
My other possibility is that She may bemud.' D.
She bad spoken loud enough 90 be heard.
tn- by the insult. Mrs Feuar instantly
nswercd her. Il am no moro drunk or mad
han YOU aret